S. Korea and U.S. suspend war games to spur denuclearization

By Lim Chang-won Posted : June 19, 2018, 08:24 Updated : June 19, 2018, 08:24

[A file picture shows U.S. planes involved in a joint military exercise with South Korea.]


SEOUL -- In a bid to foster a friendly atmosphere for peace on the Korean peninsula, South Korea and the United States announced the suspension of their joint military exercise slated for August.

In a simultaneous announcement, the South's defense ministry and the Pentagon said the allies would not hold the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise this summer. Other exercises will not be affected.

There are about 28,000 US troops stationed in South Korea. Extra US military assets and personnel come from abroad for regular joint drills including UFG, a command post exercise based on computer-simulated war games.

The North's aggressive push for the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles had prompted Seoul and Washington to revise their old and defensive strategy. The allies have tested their ability to mount preemptive attacks and a contingency mission to "decapitate" the North's leadership.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that suspending joint exercises was his initiative to facilitate a nuclear deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their historic summit in Singapore.

"Consistent with President Trump's commitment and in concert with our Republic of Korea ally, the United States military has suspended all planning for this August's defensive 'wargame'," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement.

Joint exercises are "on pause" as long as North Korea acts in good faith, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters.

Suspending joint military drills is a sensitive issue in South Korea where conservative groups support a strong security alliance to deter war. In their summit in April, Moon and Kim agreed to cease all acts of hostilities against the other side and work on establishing a permanent peace regime that would end confrontation for more than six decades.

 
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기